MASS COLLECTION

Justinian wrote, "Whatever is collected during the celebration of the Liturgy is laid before the celebrant.  He gives help to widows and orphans, to anyone in need through illness or for any other reason, to prisoners and guests from abroad."  Tertullian continues:  "In a way, the sums collected amounted to deposits of mercy; what we do not use for feasts. . .we spend on burying the dead, feeding the poor girls and boys without money or parent, the elderly constrained by old age, the shipwrecked and Christians suffering in the mines, on islands and in prisons."  

(08-06-10)